Abstract: Additive composition for use in separating particles of a desired material from particles of an undesired material in a froth flotation process using a frother. The composition includes an alkylated polymer of vinylpyrrolidone and a liquid carrier comprising the frother.

Abstract: Particles of a desired mineral are separated from an aqueous slurry containing the desired particles and particles of an undesired mineral by adding a collector, a frother and an alkylated polymer of vinylpyrrolidone, and then floating off the desired particles in a froth flotation cell.

Abstract: Particles of a calcium borate mineral, such as colemanite or ulexite, are recovered from an ore by a froth flotation process using a dialkyl sulphosuccinate as collector. Suitable dialkyl sulphosuccinates include sodium or ammonium dinonyl sulphosuccinate, sodium or ammonium di-isodecyl sulphosuccinate, and sodium or ammonium dilauryl sulphosuccinate. The dialkyl sulphosuccinates may be used as aqueous solutions or as solutions in solvents consisting of water and methylated spirit, a dihydric alcohol such as ethylene glycol or hexylene glycol or a monohydric alcohol containing more than 5 carbons.

Abstract: Particles of a desired mineral are recovered from particles of an unwanted mineral in an aqueous slurry by means of a froth flotation process in which, after treatment of the mineral particles with a collector, a predominantly hydrophobic polymeric flocculating agent, which will selectively flocculate the desired mineral particles, is added to the slurry.The predominantly hydrophobic polymeric flocculating agent may be for example a polyvinyl ether or a polybutandiene and may be predispersed in a carrier liquid, which may be the frother used to produce the froth.

Abstract: Particles of a desired mineral are recovered from particles of an unwanted mineral in an aqueous slurry by a froth flotation process in which, after treatment of the mineral particles with a collector, a predominantly hydrophobic polymeric flocculating agent, which will selectively flocculate the desired mineral particles, is added to the slurry. The predominantly hydrophobic polymeric flocculating agent may be for example a polyvinyl ether or a polybutadiene and may be predispersed in a carrier liquid, which may be the frother used to produce the froth.

Abstract: Coal fines are recovered from an aqueous slurry which also contains shale as suspended fine solids by adding to the slurry a hydrophobic polymer such as a polybutadiene or a polyvinylether in a liquid organic carrier such as gas oil, diesel oil or kerosene, agitating the resulting mixture, introducing gas such as air into the mixture to form bubbles whereby flocs of coal fines formed are caused to float, and discarding the underlying slurry containing shale. To aid solution of the polymer a co-solvent, such as an aromatic solvent or a paraffinic solvent, compatible with the carrier may be used. The method is preferably carried out as a froth flotation in a froth flotation cell using a conventional frother such as methyl isobutyl carbinol or a mixture of polypropylene glycol ethers in addition to the polymer and carrier.

Abstract: Coal fines are recovered from an aqueous slurry which also contains shale as suspended fine solids by adding to the slurry a hydrophobic polymer such as a polybutadiene or a polyvinylether in a liquid organic carrier such as gas oil, diesel oil or kerosene, agitating the resulting mixture, introducing gas such as air into the mixture to form bubbles whereby flocs of coal fines formed are caused to float, and discarding the underlying slurry containing shale. To aid solution of the polymer a co-solvent, such as an aromatic solvent or a paraffinic solvent, compatible with the carrier may be used. The method is preferably carried out as a froth flotation in a froth flotation cell using a conventional frother such as methyl isobutyl carbinol or a mixture of polypropylene glycol ethers in addition to the polymer and carrier.